Weekly Preview

February 25, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release

MUSKEGON, MI - Every win counts in a season, but a loss can turn into a win of sorts, like it did last weekend for the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

The Lumberjacks are currently holding onto sixth place in the Eastern Conference race - which is the final playoff spot - with a two-point advantage over seventh-place, Cedar Rapids.

So last weekend's split with Dubuque at Mercy Health Arena in Muskegon was a win-win for the Lumberjacks.

The Jacks topped the Fighting Saints 4-3 on Friday, but fell in overtime, 3-2, the following night.

Picking up 3 of 4 points can mean all the difference in a tight playoff race. Add into the mix that Youngstown and Green Bay are tied with 45 points each, just two points ahead of Muskegon, the point gained from an OT loss could make a big difference in the long run.

This Friday and Saturday's homestand against the Western Conference's Fargo Force will have the same playoff implications for Muskegon.

The Jacks face off with Fargo for the first time this season, and will try to break the visitor's three-game winning streak.

Muskegon enters the weekend fighting to find its footing, with a tough 3-6-1 record in its last 10 games.

Finding the bright spots isn't hard, however, when looking at the Lumberjacks' point production up front.

Forward Alex Gaffney gave Muskegon a lift in Friday's win over Dubuque, netting two goals, then adding an assist in Saturday's OT loss. Gaffney now has 14 goals and 17 assists for the Lumberjacks this season.

Danil Gushchin continues to show he has what it takes to lead the Lumberjacks. Gushchin produced two points over the weekend, with a goal and an assist, and now has 21 goals and 22 assists.

Rhett Pitlick also gave the Lumberjacks a needed goal on Friday. The University of Minnesota commit now has 14 goals and 23 assists this season.

United States Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2020

• Weekly Preview - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Randl Named USHL Forward of the Week - Omaha Lancers
• Jack Randl (Omaha), Mitchell Miller (Tri-City) and Jaxson Stauber (Sioux Falls) Earn Weekly Honors - USHL
• Mitchell Miller Named USHL Defenseman of the Week - Tri-City Storm
• Jaxson Stauber Named USHL Goaltender of Week - Sioux Falls Stampede
• 1-On-1 with Cody Chupp Following USHL Trade Deadline - Lincoln Stars
• Musketeers Add Carrabes and Heidemann in Trade Dealine Deal - Sioux City Musketeers
• Stampede Add Scoring Punch in Big Trade with Sioux City - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Hawks Add Scorer Strada - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Bucs Acquire Harvard Commit Forward Drkulec from Waterloo - Des Moines Buccaneers

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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